MLB Hot stove news for Dec. 21: Jesus Montero works to regain job

Here's what's up with what's going down in Major League Baseball on Monday night:

Seattle Mariners slugger Jesus Montero is trying to make a comeback without really ever having arrived yet.

A consensus top-10 prospect before the 2012 season, Montero was a mediocre performer as a rookie, and eventually slipped into near-irrelevancy after coming over from the New York Yankees in a blockbuster trade that featured Michael Pineda. After flashing big-time power as a teen, Montero stopped hitting, showed a bad attitude, gained weight and was suspended for having ties to the Biogenesis scandal. Montero even became something of a self-parody in 2014 when a Mariners scout infamously heckled him at a minor-league game with an ice-cream sandwich.

cutline text — Jesus Montero can win a starting platoon spot with the Mariners in 2015. (USATSI)

At age 25 in 2015, Montero slimmed down drastically, regained his hitting stroke in the minors and earned a return to the majors. He didn't perform all that well, but his standing with the organization surely improved. And, as of right now, he's a platoon partner with Adam Lind at first base with the M's. All of the hard work Montero has done to regain his standing with the Mariners is just a precursor to what awaits him in spring training: A real chance to earn a job again in the majors.

Read more of Greg Johns's post about Montero's comeback at MLB.com.

TRANSACTIONS

A.J. Griffin: About to turn 28, he been signed by the Rangers on a minor-league deal and invited to camp. Griffin has not pitched in the majors since 2013 after having Tommy John elbow surgery in 2014. He made four minor-league starts in '15. Before his injury, he had a promising beginning to his career, posting a 3.60 ERA with 235 strikeouts in 282 1/3 innings over 47 starts. (T.R. Sullivan)

Kyle Lobstein: The left-hander been traded to the Pirates after the Tigers designated him for assignment in order to clear a roster spot for infielder Mike Aviles. What might a change of scenery to Pittsburgh and pitching coach Ray Searage mean for Lobstein's career? (MLB Trade Rumors)

Josmil Pinto: Designated for assignment after the Padres signed left-hander Buddy Baumann. Not long ago, Pinto was a fast-rising prospect with the Twins as a bat-first catcher who needed to work on his defense. Injuries and a weakening bat made him expendable with the Twins, who lost him to the Padres on waivers earlier in the offseason. (Dennis Lin)

Tom Gorzelanny: After posting a 5.95 ERA with the Tigers in 2015, the left-hander has been signed by the Cleveland Indians to a minor-league deal. (Indians)

NEWS

Ryan Garko: The former major leaguer, who last played professionally in 2012 and was an assistant coach with Stanford in 2014, has gotten his first pro coaching gig. He's the manager for the Dodgers' Class AA team. Garko hit .275 with a .434 OPS (106+) in 1,752 plate appearances with the Indians, Rangers and Giants from 2005-2010. (True Blue LA)

Freddy Sanchez: Has filed his retirement papers on the same day he turned 38 years old. Sanchez batted .298 with a .748 OPS with the Pirates, Giants and Red Sox from 2002-2011. (Jerry Crasnick)

RUMORS & SPECULATION

Maybe something on The Hill? Free-agent right-hander Mike Leake is set to have dinner in St. Louis on Tuesday night, possibly to culminate a day of being wooed by the Cardinals. (Chris Gardner)

Mets outfield gap: Could be filled by free agents Denard Span, Alejandro De Aza or Will Venable, any of whom might make for a platoon partner with Juan Lagares. (Jerry Crasnick)

Scott Kazmir: The Athletics are out of the bidding for his free-agent services after adding right-hander Henderson Alvarez. (Ken Rosenthal)

Jonathan Lucroy: The Brewers probably would prefer to trade him, but are in a tough spot with him right now regarding his value. (Jeff Sullivan)

Pirates: Still looking for a left-handed hitting complement to slugger Michael Morse. (Adam Berry)

Brandon Phillips: The Reds-Nationals trade is not permanently dead, but it remains unlikely. (Mark Sheldon)

MISCELLANY

Down Under: The term "walk-off" is Australian for beer.

Wade Boggs: Is getting uniform No. 26 retired by the Red Sox. He's the 10th player in franchise history to do so. A total of 13 players wore No. 26 for the Red Sox after Boggs left the team in 1992. As recently as 2015, the team issued No. 26 to someone: